CBA Records a Criminal Conviction

Date: 22 August 2001

The Commonwealth Bank has been convicted under the NSW Occupational Health and Safety legislation of a failure to ensure a safe working environment for its employees.

In the first prosecution of a bank brought by a union, former Attorney General Mr Jeff Shaw, QC represented the Finance Sector Union, Commonwealth Bank Officers Section, NSW branch. As Attorney General Mr Shaw introduced the
changes which allow unions to bring OH&S prosecutions in NSW.

In a landmark judgement on 20 August 2001, the Chief Industrial Magistrate fined the Bank and recorded a conviction against it, after a serious incident involving a hold up at its Wellington, NSW branch in 1999.

"Union members had become very concerned about their personal safety following a series of violent incidents at other financial institutions in the town," said Peter Presdee, Branch Secretary, Finance Sector Union, Commonwealth Bank Officers Section.

"On their behalf, we informed the Bank and asked it to conduct a risk assessment in order to provide adequate protection for staff."

The Bank failed to respond to the Union's request, and four staff were
involved when an armed hold up subsequently took place on 24 August 1999.

The Bank pleaded guilty to the breach of the Act and was fined $25,000.

For further information

Contact:	Peter Presdee
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Phone:	02 9273 8244
Contact Mobile:	0418 574 405
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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